A trip is confirmed when we receive enough bookings (help spread the word about this trip!). As soon as we receive enough bookings we will send an email to tell you the trip is 100% confirmed and then you can book your flights! 

You can fly into either of Tokyo’s international airports:

• Haneda Airport (HND) - closest to the city and the easiest option

• Narita International Airport (NRT)  main long-haul airport, slightly further out 

Both airports are well connected by train, and we’ll provide clear, step-by-step instructions for getting from your chosen airport to the hotel in Tokyo.

The trip ends in Kyoto. From there, you have a few easy options:

• Take the bullet train back to Tokyo (around 2–2.5 hours) for onward flights - we’re happy to help you plan this.

• Fly onward within Japan or internationally from Kansai International Airport (KIX), the closest major airport to Kyoto (around 75–90 minutes away).

• Continue travelling in Japan - Osaka, Hiroshima, or elsewhere are all easy to reach by train.

Our host will help with onward travel planning so you can choose what works best for you.

Japan is an incredible place to eat, but it’s also a culture where ingredients like soy, sesame, and gluten are used widely, often in ways that aren’t always obvious. Because of this, some dietary requirements can be more difficult to manage than in other countries.

If you have coeliac disease or a severe allergy (especially to gluten, soy, or sesame), please reach out to us before booking so we can talk things through together and make sure this trip is right for you. It may not be.

We’ll always do our best to support you - helping you understand menus, communicate with venues, and make informed choices - but due to the risk of cross-contamination in Japanese kitchens, we can’t guarantee that all meals will be completely safe for severe allergies. In some cases, it may be better to skip certain meals, and we’ll help you explore alternatives.

Your GGI host will be there to support you throughout the trip, and we encourage everyone to stay curious, ask questions, and advocate for what they need. If you’re unsure, just get in touch - we’re always happy to help you decide before you book.

Yes, Japan is generally a very safe country for LGBTQI+ travellers, including solo travellers. Violent crime is extremely rare, and people tend to be respectful, private, and non-confrontational.

That said, Japan is also a culture where personal life is kept private, and public displays of affection (for all couples) are uncommon. LGBTQI+ visibility exists especially in larger cities like Tokyo and Osaka , but it’s often quieter and less overt than in some Western countries.

Our trips are inclusive by design. You’ll be travelling with a group of women who value respect, openness, and community, and you’ll be supported throughout by a GGI host. We choose neighbourhoods, venues, and experiences where everyone can feel comfortable and at ease.

If you have specific questions, concerns, or needs, you’re always welcome to reach out, we’re happy to talk things through before you book.

Some travellers do not need a visa to visit Japan for short stays (typically up to 90 days) if they hold a passport from countries such as the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Visa requirements depend on your passport, and rules can change, so it’s important to check the official guidance for your nationality before you travel.

We recommend:

• Checking the Japanese embassy or government website for your country

• Making sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay

If you’re unsure, you’re very welcome to get in touch and we can point you in the right direction, but responsibility for visa requirements always sits with the traveller.

Some GGI's recommend checking https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

We cannot give medical advice, so please check with your own medical practitioner. As far as we are aware, no special vaccinations are required to enter Japan for most travellers.

That said, it’s always a good idea to be up to date with routine vaccinations (such as tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and flu), especially if you’re travelling internationally.

If you have specific health concerns, a medical condition, or are unsure, we recommend checking with your GP or travel health clinic well before departure - they can give advice tailored to you and your home country.

Japan has an excellent healthcare system, and this trip doesn’t involve remote or high-risk travel. As always, good travel insurance is essential, and we’ll remind everyone about this before the trip.

If you’re unsure about anything, just ask - we’re happy to help you figure it out.

You can arrive anytime on Day 1. Check in is at 3pm. Welcome Dinner is around 7pm so please aim to be there at this time. Factor in travel time from the airport to the hotel. 

You’ll make your own way to the hotel. Before the trip, we’ll share clear instructions for taxis, airport transfers, or public transport so you can choose what suits you best.

Japanese hotels are clean, efficient, and thoughtfully designed but rooms are often smaller than what you might be used to in Europe or North America. This is completely normal in Japan, especially in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto where space is limited.

What they may lack in size, they make up for in comfort and clever use of space: excellent beds, powerful showers, high-quality toiletries, pyjamas or robes, and little details that make stays feel easy and well organised.

Storage is usually compact, which is why we encourage packing light. On this trip we also use luggage forwarding, so you won’t need to carry big suitcases on trains - just an overnight bag when required.

Hotels are chosen for location, safety, cleanliness, and atmosphere, not luxury excess. Think practical, calm, and well run - the kind of places that let you rest well and head straight back out into the city.

If you’ve never stayed in Japan before, it’s part of the experience and most travellers end up loving the simplicity. And most bring their own mini memory foam pillow as the pillows can be a little hard or too high for some!

Daily breakfast is included, plus a welcome dinner. Other meals are flexible - we’ll recommend great local places and eat together where it makes sense, or you’re free to explore independently.

Yes. Free time is a deliberate part of this trip.

We plan shared experiences carefully, then leave space around them so you can rest, wander, shop, people-watch, or follow your curiosity. Some days you might explore together in small groups; other moments you might head off solo with a coffee and a loose plan.

Our hosts are always on hand with local suggestions, directions, and ideas, whether that’s a neighbourhood to explore, a shop you’ll love, a café worth the walk, or help turning a “side quest” into something real.

You’re never rushed, never pressured to do everything, and never left unsupported.

Single rooms may be available on request, subject to availability and an additional cost. Just ask.

Yes - most women join our trips solo. Rooms are twin-share and thoughtfully matched, and there’s plenty of support before and during the trip.

This trip is open to all women and non-binary people. You do not need to be part of a GGI local group. Many participants join solo, and everyone is welcomed with warmth and inclusion.

Most travellers are between 30 and 55, but we welcome adults of all ages. If you are older or younger at heart and open to connection, you’ll fit right in. We really don't care about age - being an international woman has nothing to do with age and everything to do about moving around the world in a meaningful way!

Tattoos can still be an issue specifically in traditional onsens (hot spring baths) in Japan.

On this trip, the onsen visit is optional. Some public onsens do not allow visible tattoos, which means you may not be able to enter if you have them. Onsens are also fully nude and separated by gender, which can feel unfamiliar for some travellers.

That said, there are alternatives:

• Some onsens allow tattoos if they can be covered with plasters (we’ll check this in advance where possible)

• There are tattoo-friendly onsens and private bathing options, which we can suggest if this is an important part of your experience

• You’re always free to skip the onsen entirely and enjoy free time instead many guests choose to do so

We’ll guide you through the options before the trip so you can decide what feels right for you.

If you have been an active Girl Gone International volunteer for over 6 months hosting and upholding your promise to the community to host free events / create conversation in the community then you are entitled to a thank you trip gift! Just ask Anne!

Yes. Payment plans are available. Just contact us after booking to arrange a schedule that works for you.

Yes. Travel insurance is required. You’ll be asked to confirm your coverage before the trip and sign a waiver upon arrival.

That’s absolutely okay. This trip is gently paced with rest built in. Please let us know anything we should be aware of so we can support you properly.

Many women in our community are neurodivergent. The trip is structured but flexible, with downtime, clear expectations, and the option to step back whenever needed.

Yes. GGI is an international community and many of us speak English as a second or third language. You will be understood and supported.

There is walking most days, but at a relaxed pace with breaks. Comfortable shoes are recommended. You can always opt out and rest.

None. This is a city-based trip and we use public transport.

Pack light. Japan is incredibly easy for re-buying essentials, and you’ll enjoy the trip much more without heavy luggage.

We recommend:

• One medium suitcase or carry-on case

• A small daypack or overnight bag

Luggage forwarding (important)

On travel days between cities, we use Japan’s luggage forwarding service. This means:

• Your main suitcase will be sent ahead to the next hotel

• You’ll travel hands-free with just a daypack

Because of this, you’ll need:

• A small overnight bag with:

  • One change of clothes

  • Toiletries

  • Sleepwear

  • Any essentials you need for 1 night

Your host will explain everything clearly and help with luggage tags, it’s smooth, safe, and very common in Japan.

What matters most

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Easy layers

• Clothes you can mix and rewear

• A few pairs of socks you don’t mind being seen (shoes are removed often)

Everything else is optional.

We’ll share a final packing checklist closer to departure and are always happy to help you decide what to bring,  especially if you’re aiming for carry-on only.

Japan uses the Japanese Yen (¥).

You’ll need some cash, even though card and mobile payments are becoming more common. Large shops, hotels, transport hubs, and many restaurants accept credit/debit cards and Apple Pay, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto. That said, smaller cafés, local eateries, shrines, markets, and countryside spots often still operate cash-only.

Our advice:

• Bring a card with low foreign transaction fees

• Withdraw cash from ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, and post office ATMs work reliably with international cards)

• Carry a small daily cash amount for food stalls, temples, taxis, and neighbourhood places

Apple Pay works well in cities for transport, convenience stores, and chains, but it’s not universal - think of it as a bonus, not a replacement for cash.

We’ll show you where and how to get cash easily once you arrive, and our hosts are always on hand if you’re unsure.

Yes. Many women choose to explore solo during free time. We’ll share guidance on areas, timings, and transport so you can make informed choices.

That’s respected. You’re always free to step back, skip activities, or spend time alone. This is a supportive group, not a forced social experience.